Dorothy Elizabeth Lagerstrom

Dorothy Elizabeth Carlson Lagerstrom, 97, died at the Home At Sahalee in Sammamish Wa. on February 5, 2010. She was born in Seattle October 4, 1912 to John and Emma Carlson, Finnish immigrants. Dorothy was a 1931 graduate of Ballard High School. She married Seattle Times distributor Paul Lagerstrom in 1935. They built their home at Haller Lake.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Paul; mother and father, John and Emma Carlson; brothers J. Walter, Albert and Ragner Carlson and sister Evelyn Staaf . She is survived by her son, Richard (Dessa) of Eagle, Idaho and daughter, Serita (Bob) Zimmerman of Sammamish, Wa. Her grandchildren include Jona Lagerstrom of Missoula, Mt., Ryan Lagerstrom of Boise, Ida. and Jennifer Kelly of Klamath Falls, Ore. She has 3 grandchildren, Connor and Christopher Kelly and Cheyenne Lagerstom.

Dorothy was president of the Haller Lake School PTA and the first president of the Haller Lake Children's Orthopedic Hospital Guild. She was a charter member of Luther Memorial Church which Dorothy attended until her failing health prompted her move from Haller Lake in January 2002 to Sunset Ridge adult family home in Shoreline. Dorothy joined her younger sister Evelyn where both had excellent care from Jim and Brenda Warner. Dorothy moved to the Home At Sahalee in Sammamish, Wa. in 2005. They lovingly cared for her along with Hospice until her death. Dorothy is currently at home in heaven where all is well! Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Dorothy loved her home at Haller Lake. She was in perpetual motion going from her vegetable and flower gardens to fruit trees and grapevines; all found at her wonderful piece of paradise. Dorothy entertained the Orthopedic Guild with refinement. She served them using lace tablecloths, delicate tea cups, and her prettiest china. Her tea sandwiches, salads and sweet treats were inviting to the eye and to the taste! During the nearly 65 years at Haller Lake, Dorothy loved for her family, friends and neighbors to "drop by" for a visit. She would always offer to put on a pot of coffee or fix some tea.

Dorothy's family thanks you for your friendship, support and prayers. You are invited to join them for a reception in the fellowship hall following the service.

Tribute to Mom by Sally

When someone asks, "Tell me about your mom"? I start by describing her as quiet, contented and having an even disposition. Her focus was always on the other person and not herself. No matter what, she had a joy about her. Even when she hurt with an abscessed tooth, shingles or colon cancer, she didn't complain. And she had a cute sense of humor that made light of the situation that helped all of us relax and joke back with her. Her pleasure always "bubbled to the surface" with her radiant smile and her eyes that twinkled at you. In her later years she would do both of these and add a wave with her fingers. Mom also had a quiet faith that she didn't necessarily verbalize, but her actions spoke volumes! Many times our family stayed overnight at Mom's. Early in the morning I would find Mom with her Bible having a quiet time. It was evident that she desired to become more like Jesus. The Colossians 3:12 and Galatians 5:22, 23 describe the character traits Mom was putting on as she grew into God's purpose in life of glorifying Him.

I'd like to share some of the warm and comforting reflections about Mom while growing up as a child and later as an adult

Mom the Nurturer

Mom was a nurturer and put off her own desires of becoming a teacher. Her mom, Emma Carlson died right after Mom graduated from high school. She stayed home to cook and care for her younger sister Evelyn and brother Ragner who were still in school.

After Mom married, my dad's mom, Ella Lagerstrom came to live in a little house 3 lots over. Mom wrote that my grandma became a mom to her. My grandma spent lots of time at our house and was very dear to me.

When I was in school, I remember breakfast as a wonderful time. I would come downstairs and Mom would be in the kitchen cooking. In the room off the kitchen the fireplace would be glowing and I would stop and get toasty warm. In the kitchen, Mom would be preparing tasty food. Underneath the table would be a space heater. Outside it might be dark, cold and rainy, but inside there was light and warmth. In the summer Mom would be outside in the garden but the table would be set with fresh berries or peaches she had picked that morning and we would serve ourselves.

Mom's Servant Heart

Mom enjoyed having the ladies over from her hospital guild or those she served with on the P.T.A. I remember her setting the table with an assortment of cups and saucers, fancy dishes, silver and china pots for coffee and tea. I especially remember her tea sandwiches. She took white and wheat loaves of bread and cut off the crusts and sliced them the long way into layers. Each layer had a different spread whether it was egg salad, tuna or deviled ham. Then Mom spread the whole loaf with soft cream cheese frosting. It was then sliced and served with each slice having all 3 spreads. It was a work of art and yummy too!

After Dick and Dessa and Bob and I got married we would often come for brunch on Sundays. Mom would serve pancakes, waffles with syrup or berries and whipped cream, bacon, eggs, fried potatoes and tender stew meat with cooked tomatoes all at the same meal! Not only would she do all the cooking, but she would serve it, replenish it, then while we were busy chatting, she would quietly get up, pick up our dishes and start the cleanup. Most of the time she wouldn't let us help, but would say, "No you sit and visit".

Mom enjoyed the cabin down by the lake. The big stone fireplace would heat the downstairs and Mom would cook on the griddle stoked with wood. I especially remember the 3 times of the year when it was used. Summer evenings after a swim we could dry and warm up by the fire. In the winter after we had gone ice skating there would be a fire and hot chocolate. And on the 1st day of fishing, Mom would make breakfast on the griddle.

We Were Loved

You always knew you were loved and that being with you was her top priority. Tasks never came 1st.

Early on a summer morning, I liked to go swimming. Mom would bring her cup of coffee and sit on the dock while I swam. It was so peaceful, the water was still and the sun shone down to the bottom. I spent most of my time under the water because it was so clear. Mom must have enjoyed the quiet start of the day.

After getting married we would come in sometimes at unexpected times. Mom was typically outside. She loved her garden. She was outside every day of the year until she came down with shingles. At this time of the year, she would be digging in her garden or pulling weeds. As she would say, "The freezes over the winter have softened the ground, so it makes for easy turning over the soil and weeding".

If we came in the morning Mom would say, "It must be time for coffee" and in we would go and join her at the table for coffee or tea and some kind of goody. Mom and I would stay and visit and Bob would go outside always finding a project that needed doing. Mom was always so appreciative and thankful for Bob's help and often would go out and join him while I went over to see my aunt who lived next door.

If we dropped in later in the day, Mom typically would have a pot of soup on the stove or she would make the best lunch with hot dogs, vegetables and potatoes. Hot dogs never tasted as good as they did at Mom's.

Mom loved unexpected visitors too. Her hospitality always made you feel special and welcome.

Saying Goodbye

I always said, "I don't know what I'll do when Mom dies. But God is good. He was at work helping me adjust the 8 years she was in the wonderful care of Brenda and Jimmy and then Noadia at their adult family homes. During that time, I saw Mom gradually age and at the end it was okay to let her go because life in heaven is the best place to be. Now I am anticipating being with her in heaven where it says in Revelation 21:4 "There will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying or pain". And I Thessalonians 4:13-18 talks about how Jesus will return and those who have already died will come with Jesus and those still alive will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air and we will be with the Lord forever. What a flight! Cost is free, paid for at the cross. No baggage necessary, accommodations already taken care of and they will be the best! See John 14:2, 3.

See you later Mom!

Dorothy Lagerstrom

A Celebration of Life shared by Bob Zimmerman

Dorothy lived her life inside nearly ten decades from her birth in 1912 to her death in 2010. She was very young for World War I, attended school in the 1920's and graduated from high school in 1931, lived out the Great Depression of the 1930's, experienced the New Deal, married Paul in 1935 and purchased their Haller Lake property, saw the early signs of World War II, lived through the war and began to grow their home on Haller Lake during the 1950's.

Dorothy was the historian of the family. She wrote many, many pages about her grandparents, parents and her 90 plus years of living. I would like to share only some of this historical picture with you as a remembrance of the long life filled with experiences as an American woman.

Dorothy was born at home to John and Emma Carlson, both immigrants from Finland. They were married in 1909. John was a logger who spent several years in the Blue Ridge and Meadowdale areas. John and Emma each put in money to build their home at 6041 Sycamore Avenue. The upstairs of the house was always rented to various people. The Sunstens had several children, one of whom was a piano player. The piano was placed in the downstairs hallway and John would practice there in the evenings. We children were allowed to sit there in the lounge in the living room, the sliding doors were open so we could see him play. We were very quiet! Four brothers and two sisters were born between 1910 and 1917. I remember meeting and then enjoying the company of Uncle Al, Uncle Walt, Aunt Evelyn, and of course Dorothy. I could tell several stories from these "get togethers" in either north Seattle, Yakima, or the Lakebay area but there is just not enough time.

Woodland Park was the gathering place for the "Scandinavian" people. After church on Sunday, people would go to the park for picnicking. Dorothy tells the story of one time begging her mom to be able to wade in a pool. She was admonished not to get her dress wet. Invariably you know what happened. She slipped on the algae and sat down in the pool. As we walked "with my tail feathers dragging" and after a scolding, I felt sad. I understand now why my mother warned me not to get wet- the dress materials back then had to be starched and ironed."

I also remember that one of my relatives always had lemon drops and peppermints for us children. He would take us across Phinney Ave. to the merry-go-round and ferris wheel. He also treated us to ice cream cones and pop (strawberry was my favorite).

I remember the grand opening of the Ballard Locks. We had to walk on planks to cross the swampy area and mother had made a black velvet coat for me to wear to the dedication. Well as luck would have it the plank had a protruding nail and I tripped and tore my new coat. Yep, I got a swat on my rear!

In 1923 or 24, my brother Walter got the makings for a crystal set (radio) with ear phones. Walter had received some gold coin from dad (who was then supplying power poles to Puget Sound Power and Light) to make this purchase. We listened to Al Jolson singing, the Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney boxing match and enjoyed many days of listening to the music of the 1920's.

At age 13 my Dad got an old car as payment for shingle bolts. Shingle bolts were bundled, split shingles wrapped with rope, twine or perhaps wire. We kids learned to drive the car. Walter would take us to a swimming place. Brother Rags and I preferred to stay in the car and shift the gears backwards and forwards until we had managed to shift without a hitch. After that summer I did not attempt to drive until I was 22. However I did want to ride Walt's bike and mom encouraged me. When the rest of the kids were gone one Sunday afternoon, Mom took the bike to the top of a hill so I could learn to control my balance. I shot down the hill right into a shingle bolt pile! I gave up that sport for a few years. Walter also had a newspaper route through the Highlands (that's the exclusive area for the wealthy people) and he would leave papers at the country club. The cook treated him to pie. This led to family berry picking for Walter to sell to the club. Walter gave Al and me some change now and then and we were very happy.

In 1919 we moved from "town" to a place near the Ronald Grade school. Dad acquired some military tents (World War I surplus) and he built flooring and sideboards and placed the tents on the top. We lived there through the years 1920-1922. What pioneers!

In 1927 I entered Ballard High. I rode the interurban from our station (named Pershing for the WWI general). In my junior year the great stock market crash occurred and the great depression began. "We saw, in detail, what was happening. Shacks called Hoovervilles (named after President Hoover) went up on the water's edge. One of my brothers raised chickens and sold eggs around Ballard for 25 cents a dozen.

I graduated from Ballard High in 1931. I had planned to go to a teacher's prep college when my mom had a stroke and died in Feb. 1932. I became a home mother. I also worked at the Root Beer Barrel as a car hop and met my best friend Bonnie Jordan.

On March 22, 1935 I married Paul and became a Lagerstrom, much loved by his mother Ella. She took the place of my mom and lived until 1957.

I was working at Kress's 10 cent store when news came of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. We were told to black out all lights and to drive home by parking lights only. Fear was everywhere as we heard of enemy submarines scouting our shores. My older brother went into the Signal Corp and brother Ragner went into the Navy. I was expecting my son, Richard so I had to quit work. I devoted lots of time to knitting sox for the "boys" overseas. During this time of war we were rationed. We had to have stamp books to buy fuel (home and car), sugar, meat, canned goods, etc. Shortly after the birth of our daughter, Serita Ann, (also known as Sally) our home fuel ran out and we had to wait for a new stamp book to be issued, so the baby came down with a hard cold. When our oil delivery man saw how sick she was he gave us his private number so we could call for extra oil without stamps. I felt this was cheating somewhat on the war effort- but I consoled myself that the US had always tried to help other nations in need and we did not start this war!

After the war many people moved into Seattle and outlying areas so building was booming and during the 50's the children and I started helping Paul to deliver newspapers to these new housing developments. Our "noses were to the grindstone" but we were able to enlarge our home so when the onslaught of relatives converged upon us for the World's Fair we could accommodate them.

The Lutheran Church was very important to the Carlson family. Emma had belonged to Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Seattle until their move to Sycamore Ave. She and several "Ballard its" (relatives and friends from Ballard) would start what became Emmaus Lutheran Church later to become St. John's on Phinney Ridge. Then several members living further north started a Sunday School at the Lutheran Bible Institute (once housed across the street) and then added church services. Dorothy was one of the charter members of Broadview Lutheran Church which is now Luther Memorial. She attended here until she was laid up by a very severe case of the shingles and could no longer sit still for any length of time. Mary Walters, Luther Memorial visitation pastor, would come by to be with Dorothy at her home at Haller Lake. I am sure she could share much about their conversations.

I met Paul and Dorothy in the early 60's. Dorothy was always gentile, gentle spirited, even mannered, and a considerate person. I have many, many fond memories. Over the course of time and especially after Paul's death in 1974, Serita and I would visit Haller Lake to enjoy the summer swims, help spruce up the outside areas and get a little house painting done. Dorothy always had coffee and goodies ready for the work crew. You could always tell how pleased she was to have the company. Dorothy was a living example of compassion and kindness to her very end. Come to the fellowship hall, share your stories and see the pictures. Also you can visit the website at washelli.com. We will miss Dorothy and will always remember her loving legacy.